Aniket Rai
Manchester United, Arsenal, and the FA condemn racism against England trio after 2020 Euro final loss
In separate statements made after Italy beat England to win the UEFA Euro 2020, Manchester United, Arsenal, and the FA condemned racism directed against their players. (h/t The Mirror)
Things got off to a great start for England in the final when United star Luke Shaw fired them in front with just three minutes gone on the clock. But Leonardo Bonucci then equalized in the middle of the second half to take the game to extra time.
With no goals in the added 30 minutes, it was down to a penalty shoot-out. Gareth Southgate brought on Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho late in extra time for them to take the spot-kicks.
Unfortunately, the United duo missed to cancel out the advantage given to them by Andrea Belotti’s saved penalty. Teenager Bukayo Saka then stepped up for the decisive penalty with England trailing 2-3 in the shootout.
Gianluigi Donnarumma saved the kick to hand the Italians their first European Championship since 1968. But the aftermath of the match was more saddening and depressing than anything that had happened on the pitch for England.
Football unites against racism yet again
Saka, Sancho, and Rashford were subject to abhorrent racist abuse on their social media accounts. Racism is not an alien concept in English football and it showed its ugly face yet again on Sunday.
The concerned clubs then took a stand on Twitter to defend their players, with Arsenal putting out a message for Saka, saying,
“We are sad to have to say we condemn the racism of a number of black players. This cannot continue and the social media platforms and authorities must act to ensure this disgusting abuse to which our players are subjected on a daily basis stops now.
Our message to Bukayo is: hold your head high, we are so very proud of you and we cannot wait to welcome you back home to Arsenal soon.”
United put out a similar message for Rashford, and wrote,
“One kick won’t define you as a player or person, Marcus. Remember that. We look forward to welcoming you home.”
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FA’s statement was more emphatic and charged at the issue directly, clearly stating that anyone who partakes in spreading racist abuse is not welcome to support the country. An excerpt from their statement reads:
“We could not be clearer that anyone behind such disgusting behaviour is not welcome in following the team. We will do all we can to support the players affected while urging the toughest punishments possible for anyone responsible.”
